Methods and apparatus for zig-zag folding a web



Jan. 16, 1968 T. W. McKlNDARY 3,363,896

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ZIG-ZAG FOLDING A WEB Filed Aug. 4, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Jah. 16, 1968 T. w. M KINDARY 3,363,896 METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR ZIG- ZAG FOLDING A WEB 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1965FIG-Z INVENTOR Y m m M M N 5 A M w r AT TORNEY Jan. 16, 1968 T. W.McKlNDARY 3,363,896

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ZIG-ZAG FOLDING A WEB Filed Aug. 4, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 5 r/a-a F/G.- 4

mvsmoa THOMAS m McK/NDARY ATTORNEY 1968 T. w. MCKINDARY 3,363,

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ZIG-ZAG FOLDING A Filed Aug. 4, 1965 WEB 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR THOMAS MA MC KIA/DAR 7 AT TORNEY United StatesPatent 3,363,896 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ZIG-ZAG FOLDING A WEB ThomasW. McKindary, 281 Lincoln Ave., Totowa Borough, NJ. 07512 Filed Aug. 4,1965, Ser. No. 477,093 18 Claims. (Cl. 270-69) ABSTRACT OF THE DECLOSUREAccording to this invention, the novel machines comprise a pair ofrotatable cylinders which are spaced from each other to receive a web ofmaterial in the space therebetween, means for rotating both of saidcylinders in one direction, then both of said cylinders in the oppositedirection, means for releasably holding a part of said web in fixedposition relative to one of said cylinders in the course of rotation ofone of said cylinders when both of them are rotated in said onedirection whereby said part is moved in an arcuate path Whose center isat the axis of rotation of said one of said cylinders to locate saidpart at a first location, means for applying pressure to said part tocrease said web, means for releasably holding a second part of said webin a fixed position relative to the other of said cylinders in thecourse of rotation of the other of said cylinders when both of them arerotated in said opposite direction whereby said second part is moved inan arcuate path whose center is at the axis of rotation of said othercylinder to locate said second part at a second location, and means forapplying pressure to said second part to crease said web.

In a more specific aspect of the invention, said novel machine alsoincludes a reciprocable means for feeding said web into a position whereit overlies said one of said cylinders and then into a position where itoverlies said other of said cylinders.

In a still more specific aspect of the invention, the first mentionedpart of said Web which is releasably held in said fixed positionrelative to said one of said cylinders, is moved downwardly into,through and then below the narrowest space between said cylinders tolocate said part in a location when said cylinders are both rotated inthe same direction and then said second part of said web which isreleasably held in said fixed position relative to said other of saidcylinders is moved downwardly into, through and then below said space tolocate said second part in a second location when both of said cylindersare rotated in the opposite direction.

By practicing the novel methods and employing the novel apparatus ofthis invention it is possible to produce zig-zag packs of individualunits or a plurality of individual units which are relatively short evenif the web is of relatively thick material. The novel apparatus of thisinvention are not only useful for efliciently producing such zig-zagpack of individual or a plurality of units, measuring 1 foot or more inlength, but are also useful for efficiently producing folds or packsthereof which measure less than inches in length. Besides the aforesaidadvantages, the novel apparatus of this invention are capable ofproducing such packs at relatively high speed, are capable of being setup in relatively short periods of time and also are capable of beingquickly adjusted for the folding of different length with precision. Astill further advantage of the present invention is that besides beingfaster, easier to set up, the machines are relatively inexpensive tomanufacture and may be coupled with a stacker or a belt deliverydepending upon the job to be run.

The foregoing as well as other objects and advantages of this inventionwill be readily apparent from the descrip- 2 tion taken in conunctionwith the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus illustrating an embodimentof this invention, with part thereof being an explosion view and otherparts being fragmentary and still other parts being schematic, for clearviewing of the elements of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG.1, with certain parts thereof being broken away.

FIG. 2a is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line Za-Za of FIG.2 in the direction of the arrows.

FIGS. 3-12 are diagrammatic or schematic views showing the positions ofsome of the various parts of the invention with respect to some othersof the apparatus of this invention at different stages of operationduring approximately one cycle of operation.

As shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings,there are a pair of like rigid metal hollow cylinders 10 and 11 ofapproximately the same diameter, in parallel relationship to each otherand having axes of rotation parallel to each other. The cylinders 10 and11 are spaced a short distance from each other to accommodate in thenarrowest space therebetween a web 1 to be folded into a zig-zag foldpack of uniform portions or individual elements 2. Only a portion of web1 from a roll thereof is shown. Said web has weakened transverse narrowsections 3, in the form of score lines or perforations which areuniformly spaced from each other along the length of said web and onwhich creasings are to be made. Each of said cylinders 10 and 11 has aplurality of circumferential narrow openings 13 therethrough. Each ofsaid openings 13 is a narrow are which measures for most purposes about60. Two pairs of discs 14 and 15 are rigidly and demountably secured tothe ends of the respective cylinders 10 and 11. Each of said discs has apair of arcuate openings 16 and 17 therethrough. Shafts 18 and 19 extendthrough the longitudinal centers of the respective cylinders 10 and 11and through and outwardly beyond discs 14 and 15 to which they arerigidly secured. The shafts 18 and 19 are supported by two pairs of likebearing brackets 12 secured to an upper supporting table 6 of asupporting frame having openings 4, 7, 8 and 9. Table 6 is spaced from alower supporting table 20 and is. rigidly secured thereto by a pluralityof vertical posts, four of which 22, 24, 28 and 33 are shown. The endsof the posts are welded or otherwise rigidly secured at their ends tothe tables 6 and 20 to provide a rigid supporting frame. Mounted forfree rotation on each of the cylindrical shafts 18 and 19 of relativelysmall diameter are three annular collars 21, 23 and 25. Located incylinder 10 and extending the length thereof is a conduit 26 parallel toshaft 18 and having openings or ports 27 therein in registry with thearcuate openings 13 and a conduit 29 parallel to shaft 18, spaced fromconduit 26 and having like openings or ports 31 therein also in registrywith the openings 13. Said conduits 26 and 29 are in communication witheach other through conduit 30 at least a portion of which is flexibleand stretchable and in turn is connected to a flexible conduit or hose32 which extends through that side of the cylinder 10 opposite theopenings 13. Located in cylinder 11 and extending the length thereof area pair of parallel conduits 34 and 35 parallel with shaft 19, spacedfrom each other and having openings or ports 37 therein in registry withthe arcuate openings 13 in cylinder 11. These conduits 34 and 35 are incommunication with each other through conduit 39 at least part of which.is flexible and stretchable and in turn is connected to a flexibleconduit or hose 38 which extends through that side of the cylinder 11opposite the openings 13 therein. The conduits 34 and the conduit 35 areso disposed that the former is located upwardly beyond conduit 35. Ifdesired the conduits 26 3 and 34 may be omitted. However, I prefer thatboth be used in order that a substantial part of the web is held by (26and 29) and (34 and 35) in the operation of the machine.

Each of the collars 21 is secured to one end of a bar whose other end issecured to one end of the conduit 29 or 35; and each of said collars 23is secured to one end of an L bar 42 whose other end is secured to oneend of the conduit 26 or 34. Each of said bars 40 and 42 is latched inposition by a bolt passing through elements 14 and 15, the arms 40 and42 may be swung towards or away from each other to swing the conduits 26and 29 or conduits 34 and 35 towards or away from each other thereby todispose the conduits of each pair in desired relationship to each otherand/ or to the other pair of conduits. This permits easy and readyadjustment of conduits 29 and 35 to vary with precision, the length ofthe individual units to be held in the course of operation. After beingadjusted to suit the needs of the operator depending upon the length ofeach fold to be made, the conduits are locked in adjusted positions bytightening the wing-nuts.

Each of said collars 25 has one end of a bar 45 secured thereto,depending therefrom, with the other end of bar 45 secured to a bearingsupporting box 46. The box 46 carries a bearing 47 which is adjustabletowards or away from shaft 18 or 19 by stud bolts 48. A roller 50 isrotatably mounted in a pair of oppositely disposed bearings 47 supportedby shafts 18; and a roller 52 is rotatably supported in a pair ofoppositely disposed bearings 47 supported by shaft 19. Said rollers 50and 52 extend the full length of and are located close to the respectivecylinders 10 and 11. By turning the adjusting stud bolts 48, associatedwith each of said bearings, the spaces between the rollers 50 and 52 andthe respective cylinders 10 and 11 may be varied at will by the operatorfor folding materials of different thicknesses.

The left hand end of shafts 18 and 19 carry respective like gears 53 and54 which are keyed or in any other manner firmly secured thereto. Alsosupported in fixed positions on the table 6 are a pair of bracketbearings 55 and 56 supporting respective short shafts 58 and 59respectively which have keyed or otherwise firmly secured thereto likegears 60 and 61 respectively, meshing with gears 53 and 54 respectively.The other ends of said shafts 58 and 59 are coupled to the ends ofrespective actuator levers 64 and 65 having respective slots 66 and 67therein. The ends of the levers 64 and 65 carry stud bolts 68 which whenin tightened condition firmly lock the ends of said shafts 58 and 59thereto. Said bolts 68 may be loosened for alfording positioning of thestroke and then tightened. Said levers 64 and 65 have elongated openings62 and 63.

Pins 70 and 76 extend through said respective openings 62 and 63 and arepivotally coupled at their outer ends to the respective heads of a pairof like drive rods 80 and 81. Each of the pins 70 and 76 has annularrecess accommodating the head of rods 80 and 81 and has a treadedportion carrying a locking nut 74 for locking the pin in adjustedposition to the lever coupled therewith.

The lower ends of the rods 80 and 81 are respectively pivotallyconnected to the front ends of actuating levers 84 and 85 by cross pins86. A follower roller 87 is carried by each of the front ends of levers84 and 85. A support 90 is secured to the table 20 and has upper andlower pairs of arms 92 and 93 secured thereto and carry stationaryshafts 95 and 96 at the free ends thereof. The rear ends of levers 84and 85, having elongated openings 91 at their front ends, are mountedfor free rotation on the shaft 95 and carry follower rollers 87. Mountedfor rotation on stationary shaft 96 are follower levers 97 and 98 eachhaving elongated narrow openings 99 therein and carrying a followerroller (not shown) near the free ends thereof. The levers 84 and 85 arerespectively disposed above the levers 97 and 98. A rod 100 extendsthrough said openings in levers 84 and 97 and a rod 101 extends throughsaid openings in levers 85 and 98. The

lower ends of rods 100 and 101 carry enlarged nuts 102 bearing againstthe lower surfaces of levers 97 and 98, and the upper ends extendthrough springs 103 and 104 which are secured at their upper end theretoand bear against the front ends of the levers 84 and 85 and continuouslyexert pressure thereof thereby always tending to move the forward endsof the levers 84 and 85 towards the free ends of the levers 97 and 98.

Disposed between the forward ends of levers 84 and 97 is a drive cam 105and between the forward end of levers 85 and 98 is a like drive cam 106.Both of said cams 105 and 106 are mainly circular with dwell portions107 and 109 disposed opposite each other. Said cams 105 and 106 arespaced from each other and are off-center secured to and driven by amain shaft 108 supported by bearings 72 secured to table 20. Said shaft108 has a pair of sprockets 110 and 111 and another cam 112 securedthereto. The shaft 108 is driven by a constant speed electric motor 115through a chain belt 116 which drives sprocket 110. The cam 112 has ahigh side 113 and a low side 114 abruptly connected to each other, andis always in contact with a follower 118 of an exchange valve 120,supported by table 20 through bracket not shown, and having a conduit121 connected to a vacuum pump 125 constantly driven by a pump motor126. Also connected to said valve are the hoses 32 and 38.

Disposed above the drive shaft 108 is a driven shaft supported inbearings carried by a pair of spaced brackets 132 secured to the table6. Secured to the shaft 130 is a fly-wheel 133, sprocket 134, cam 135and sprocket 136. The drive shaft 108 is operatively connected to shaft130 by a chain belt 138 operatively connected to sprockets 111 and 134and passing through opening 8 of table 6.

The outer ends of the arms of a yoke are pivotally connected to one pairof bars 45 and the outer ends of a yoke 148 are pivotally connected tothe other pair of bars 45. A pair of two piece rods 150 and 151, whoselengths may be varied by their adjustable connectors 156 and 153, aresecured to the respective cross arms of yokes 145 and 148 and also tocommon yoke follower 155. The follower is in the form of a yoke platehaving a boss 157 which is always maintained in contact with the cam 135by a pair of tension springs 158 connected thereto. The yoke 155 is a Uplate supported by the shaft 130 passing between the arms thereof, withspring 158 connected thereto and a bracket 140 secured to table 6. Abracket 142 is supported by table 6 and carries a shaft 161 having asprocket 160 keyed thereto and operatively connected to the sprocket 136by a short chain belt 162. Also keyed on said shaft 161 is a crank 164having an elongated opening 165 therein. One end of a drive rod 167 ispivotally connected to a stud or T bolt extending through opening 165thereon, and its other end is secured to the cross arm of a yoke 169whose outer arms are pivotally connected to a pair of bars 170. The bars170 are disposed outwardly beyond the ends of the cylinders 10 and 11,with the lower end of each being pivotally supported on a short pivot(not shown) in bearing block 172 secured to table 6. A pair of rollers173 are rotatably supported by the bars 170 at the upper ends thereof. Arotatable idler roller 175 is located above bars 170 and is supported infixed position by a pair of brackets 176 secured to supporting plates177 secured to table 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the web 1 feeds downwardlyto, between and beyond cylinders 10 and 11 to the partial pack 5. Theconduits 29 and 35 are set relative to each other, whereby the fixedcurvilinear distance between them as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12 correspondsto the length of the unit 2 which is to be creased at the end thereof.The positions of the auxiliary conduits 26 and 34 are also set a smalldistance from the respective conduits 29 and 35. Also, the positions ofthe bolts 70 and 76 are set forth in the slots 62 and 63 respectively tofix the extent of rotation of cylinders 10 and 11 each in one half cycleof operation,

and with the extent of rotation of each of them being the same and therotation being simultaneous in the same direction.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The apparatus as shown inFIG. 1 has been in operation to provide part of a zig-zag fold or pack 5consisting of a number of individual elements 2 which have been creasedon the weakened sections 3 of the web. The apparatus which has beenoperating due to the continuous uniform driving of the drive shaft motorand the pump, continues to operate as follows in going through anothercomplete cycle of operation which is approximately shown in FIGS. 3-12.

As shown in FIG. 1, the web 1 from a supply reel (not shown) extendsover the idler 175 between the reciprocable feed rollers 173, thenbetween cylinders and 11 passing downwardly therebelow to pack 5. Thecontinuously rotating cam 112 is in the position shown in FIG. 1 and dueto the continuous runing of the vacuum pump 125, being driven by itsmotor, vacuum continuously is maintained in the hose 121. Due to theposition of follower 118 of the control valve 120 at this stage as shownin FIG. 3, vacuum is maintained through hose 32 at the ports of conduits29 and 26. This releasably maintains that part of the web which had justpreviously started to move from the position shown in FIG. 12. At thisstage as shown in FIG. 3, the cylinders 10 and 11 are not at rest asshown in FIG. 12 but are rotating in a clockwise direction bycontinuously rotating shaft 108 driving shafts 18 and 19 simultaneouslyclock-wise by the action of the continuously driven cams 105 and 106upon rods 80 and 81 in turn actuating drive levers 64 and 65 drivingshafts 58 and 59. Simultaneously driven by shaft 108 are earn 135 andlever 164 through their connecting mechanisms, whereby simultaneouslywith the rotation of said cylinders 10 and 11 in a clockwise direction,the web 1 moves towards the right as shown in FIGS. 37 due to the actionof the lever 164 upon the pivoted arms 170. Also simultaneously withsaid rotation of cylinders 10 and 11 in a clockwise direction, the cam135 is rotating with the boss 157 bearing thereagainst and together withthe action of springs 158, acting upon yokes 145 and 14S thereby tomaintain the rollers 50 and 52 in operative position for a certainperiod.

In the course of the aforesaid simultaneous actions and movements withthe weakened section 3 of the web located slightly below the ports ofconduit 29, that part of the web suction-held to the cylinder 10 ismoved downwardly in an arcuate path as shown in FIGS. 3-7 to apredetermined location shown in FIG. 7, and the arms 170 acting in timedrelationship with respect to said rotation have moved the web over to aposition where it overlies conduits and 34 to dispose another weakenedsection 3 of the web slightly lower than the ports of conduit 35. Whenthat part of the web reaches its predetermined location as shown in FIG.7, the following actions almost simultaneously occur: the rods 80 and 81stop because their ends are on the dwell parts of the cams 105 and 1%whereby rotation of both cylinders 10 and 11 ceases, the boss 157 entersthe cut out in cam 135 due to the action of springs 1'58 whereupon theyokes 145 and 148 are moved quickly and abruptly to so swing creasingrollers and 52 simultaneously in counterclockwise direction as shown inFIG. 7 whereupon the non-gripping roller 50 in a short quick sweepingaction pivoted about shaft 18 is moved to a position where it exertspressure at the fold line to crease same at that section; and as thiscreasing action is occurring, it also serves to maintain the creasedfold in said fixed position on cylinder 10, there an abrupt transfer ofvacuum from the line 32 to 38 due to the action of cam 113 whereby thatportion of the web, which has been swung to its extreme right handposition by the reciprocating arms 170 carrying rollers 173, is nowsuction maintained in fixed position relative to cylinder 11 as shown inFIG. 7

with a weakened section 3 thereof being located just slightly below theports of conduit 35. At this stage, the individual element or series ofelements 2 between the creased weakened section releasably held tocylinder 10 by roller 50 and that part of the web releasably held byvacuum and cylinder 11 is thus releasably anchored to both of saidcylinders and so remains for only a very short period of time due to theboss 157 being abruptly moved out of the cut-out of the rotating camWhereupon the yokes and 148 acting on bars 45 abruptly cause the bars 45to be swung clockwise thereby to swing the rollers 50 and 52 toinoperative position as shown in FIG. 8 whereby the roller 50 snaps offof the creased fold which immediately thereafter starts dropping intothe pack as shown in FIG. 8 and the rollers 173 have just prior theretoas shown in FIG. 7 have reached their maximum right hand position. Dueto the continuous rotation of shafts 108 and 130 and the parts driventhereby, at this stage as shown in FIG. 8 which is practicallyimmediately after movement of rollers 50 and 52 to their inoperativepositions with part of the web releasable vacuum secured to the cylinder11, the cylinders 10 and 11 rotate counter-clockwise due to the movementof the respective parts 84 and 85 caused by action of other mechanismincluding cams 105 and 106. This and other operations continues as showndiagrammatically in FIGS. 8-12, are similar to those before describedexcept that the cylinders 10 and 11 now rotate in the counter-clockwisedirection to move that part of web, suction held at ports of conduit 35,to a second predetermined location over an arc of travel of the samelength as that heretofore described.

The extent of said counter-clockwise rotation is the same as that ofsaid clockwise rotation due to the location of another dwell on each ofthe cams 105 and 106. Like before, upon that part of web and conduit 35reaching its predetermined second location as shown in FIG. 12, thedriven arms have reached practically their maximum left hand positionsto dispose still another part of the web over the cylinder 10 whereanother weakened section 3 is located below the ports of conduit 29. Atthis position shown in FIG. 12 cylinders 10 and '11 are at restmomentarily and the following other actions are simultaneouslyoccurring: The boss is acted upon by the projection of the rotating earn135 thereby causing both sets of arms '45 to be swung clockwise wherebythe roller 52 rides over to crease the web at said predeterminedlocation, and to anchor said creased web thereto and while so anchored,the cam 113 causes abrupt vacuum transfer from line 38 to 32 so thatlike before the stretch of web between holding but non-gripping roller52 and conduit 35 is anchored at both ends as shown in FIG. 12 for onlya very short period due to the boss being abruptly moved off of theprojection on rotating earn 135 whereupon constantly acting the spring158 causes the rollers 50 and 52 to be swung clockwise to snap roller 50off of the creased fold and to maintain them in inoperative position. Atthis stage, the right hand creased fold starts to drop away from thecylinder 11, and the cylinders 10 and 11 start rotating in a clockwisedirection and continue as before and the foregoing cycle is repeatedover and over again until a zig-zag pack of the desired size isobtained. In the operation of the apparatus of this invention, theextent of rotation of the cylinders clockwise and counterclockwiseshould not exceed 360 and in fact in most instances is no greater than180.

It is to be understood that the term shaft as used in the presentdescription and claims with reference to shafts 18 and 19, the shaft maybe of full length and continuous as shown, but it is also meant toinclude a discontinuous shaft consisting of a plurality of parts. Forexample, each of said shafts may consist of a pair of single shortelements located outside of the discs 14 and 15. When such shaftsconsist of said two parts,

the inner ends of said parts are rigidly secured to said respectivediscs.

It is also to be understood that the term cylinder as used in thepresent description and claims is meant to include partial cylinders,which are for most purposes at least about quarter cylinders andtherefore include quarter-cylinders and other larger partial cylinders,such as semi-cylinders, etc., and also full cylinders as shown which arethe most preferred. The length of the arc of each cylinder is at leastequal to about one half the length of the successive portions of the webto be folded one with respect to the other in the manner beforedescribed.

By the term zig-zag pack, I intend to include a pack as shown in FIG. 1and also group of elements 2 creased at the sections 3, and beingarranged in zig-zag fashion of any other form, as for example a fannedor other arrangement which may be etfected by employing a moving belt(not shown) and disposed below the fold receiving opening as shown inFIG. 1.

Since certain changes in carrying out the aforementioned methods and inthe constructions set forth, which embody the invention, may be madewithout departing from its scope, it is intended that all mattercontained in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings shallbe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zigzag packcomprising:

(a) a pair of rotatable cylinders spaced from each other for the passageof said web therebetween,

(b) means for rotating both of said cylinders in one direction and thenboth of said cylinders in the opposite direction,

(c) means for releasably holding a part of said web in fixed positionrelative to one of said cylinders in the course of rotation of both ofsaid cylinders in said one direction,

(d) means for releasably holding another part of said web in fixedposition relative to the other of said cylinders in the course ofrotation of both of said cylinders in said opposite direction,

(e) means for exerting creasing pressure on said first mentioned part ofsaid web, and

(f) means for exerting creasing pressure on said other part of said web.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1, and (g) means for moving said webinto a position where it overlies said one of said cylinders and theninto a position where it overlies said other of said cylinders.

3. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag packcomprising:

(a) a pair of rotatable cylinders whose axes of rotation are parallel,

(b) means for rotating said cylinders simultaneously clockwise and forsubsequently rotating said cylinders simultaneously counter-clockwise,

(c) means for releasably holding a part of said web in fixed positionrelative to one of said cylinders in the course of said clockwiserotation of both of said cylinders whereby said part of said web ismoved in an arcuate path to a first location,

((1) means for releasably holding a second part of said web in a fixedposition relative to the other of said cylinders in the course of saidcounter-clockwise rotation of both of said cylinders whereby said secondpart of said web is moved in an arcuate path to a second location,

(e) means for applying pressure to said first mentioned part at saidfirst location to crease said web thereat,

(f) and means for applying pressure to said second part at said secondlocation to crease said web thereat.

4. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag packcomprising:

(a) a pair of rotatable cylinders whose axes of rotation are parallel,

(b) means for moving said web to a position where a part thereofoverlies one of said cylinders and then to another position whereanother part thereof overlies the other of said cylinders,

(c) means for rotating said cylinders simultaneously clockwise and forsubsequently rotating said cylinders simultaneously counter-clockwise,

((1) means for releasably holding said first mentioned part of said webin a fixed position relative to said one of said cylinders in the courseof rotation of said cylinders simultaneously clockwise to move saidfirst mentioned part to a predetermined location,

(6) means for applying creasing pressure to said first mentioned part atsaid location,

(f) means for releasably holding said other part of said web in a fixedposition relative to said other of said cylinders in the course ofrotation of said cylinders simultaneously counter-clockwise to move saidother part to another predetermined location,

(g) means for applying creasing pressure to said other part at saidother location.

5. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag packof individual portions thereof coupled with each other at creased partsthereof, comprising:

(a) a pair of rotatable cylinders spaced from each other for the passageof said web therebetween,

(b) means for rotating both of said cylinders in one direction apredetermined number of degrees which is less than 360 and then rotatingboth of said cylinders in the opposite direction a predetermined numberof degrees which is less than 360,

(c) means for releasably holding a part of said Web in fixed positionrelative to one of said cylinders in the course of rotation of both ofsaid cylinders in said one direction whereby said part is moveddownwardly into and through the space between said cylinders andintersects a virtual line extending between and being at right angles tothe axes of said cylinders thereby to revolve said part to a firstlocation about a center on approximately the axis of rotation of saidone of said cylinders,

((1) means for applying creasing pressure to said part at said firstlocation, said means including a member extending along the length ofsaid one of said cylinders, said member being swingable to operative andinoperative positions about a center on approximately the axis ofrotation of, said one of said cylinders,

(e) means for releasably holding a second part of said web in fixedposition relative to the other of said cylinders in the course ofrotation of both of said cylinders in said opposite direction wherebysaid second part is moved downwardly into and through said space therebyto revolve said second part to a second location about a center onapproximately the axis of rotation of said other of said cylinders,

(f) and means for creasing applying pressure to said second part at saidlocation, said means including a member extending along the length ofsaid other of said cylinders, said member being revolvable to operativeand inoperative positions about a center on approximately the axis ofrotation of said other of said cylinders.

6. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag packcomprising:

(a) a pair of substantially parallel rotatable shafts,

(b) a pair of cylinders spaced from each other for the passage of saidweb therebetween, and operatively connected to said shafts and driventhereby,

(c) means for rotating said cylinders simultaneously clockwise and thenrotating said cylinders simultaneously counter-clockwise,

(d) means for moving said web into a position where a first part thereofoverlies said one of said cylinders, and then into a position Whereanother part thereof overlies said other of said cylinders,

(e) means for releasably holding said first part of said web in fixedposition relative to one of said cylinders in the course of simultaneousrotation of said cylinders clockwise whereby said first part is revolvedless than 360 to a predetermined first location, the center of saidrevolution being at approximately the axis of rotation of said one ofsaid cylinders,

(f) means for applying pressure to said first part at said firstlocation to crease said first part thereat, said means including aroller extending along the outer surface of said one of said cylindersand means pivotally mounted on one of said shafts and supporting saidroller, and being rotatable about said shaft to dispose said roller inoperative and inoperative positions,

(g) means for releasably holding said second part of said web in a fixedposition relative to the other of said cylinders in the course ofsimultaneous rotation of said cylinders counter-clockwise whereby saidsecond part is revolved less than 360 to a predetermined location, thecenter of said revolution being at approximately the axis of rotation ofsaid other of said cylinders,

(h) means for applying pressure to said second part 7. A machine forfolding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag pack comprising:

(a) a first shaft,

(b) a first cylinder is operatively connected to said shaft and adaptedto be rotated by said first shaft upon rotation thereof,

(c) a pair of arms swingably mounted on said shaft and located beyondthe ends of said first cylinder,

(d) a first roller located exteriorly of said cylinder,

disposed substantially parallel thereto and rotatably supported by saidarms,

(e) a second rotatable shaft parallel to said first shaft, (f) a secondcylinder, operatively connected to said second shaft, and adapted to berotated thereby upon rotation thereof,

(g) a second pair of arms swingably mounted on said second shaft andlocated beyond the ends of said second cylinder,

(h) a second roller located exteriorly of said second cylinder, disposedsubstantially parallel thereto and rotatably supported by said secondpair of arms,

(i) first means for rotating both of said cylinders simultaneouslyclockwise a predetermined and material number of degrees which is lessthan 360 and then rotating both of said cylinders simultaneouslycounter-clockwise approximately the same number of degrees,

(j) second means for releasably holding a part of said web in fixedposition relative to said first cylinder in the course of clockwisesimultaneous rotation of both of said cylinders whereby said part isrevolved in a clockwise direction to a first location, the center ofsaid revolution being on approximately the axis of rotation of saidfirst cylinder,

(k) third means operable in timed relationship with respect to saidrotation of said cylinders to swing said first pair of armscounter-clockwise thereby to move said first roller to operativeposition thereby applying creasing pressure to said part at said firstlocation and then to swing said second pair of arms clockwise thereby tomove said second roller to operative position thereby applying creasingpressure to said .part at said second location.

8. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag packof individual portions thereof coupled with each other at creased partsthereof, comprising:

(a) a pair of rotatable cylinders spaced from each other for the passageof said web therebetween,

(b) means for rotating both of said cylinders simultaneously in onedirection a predetermined number of degrees which is less than 360 andthen rotating both of said cylinders in the opposite directionapproximately the same number of degrees, said means including a pair ofcontinuously rotatable cams operatively associated with a pair ofvertically disposed members adapted to be actuated thereby and connectedto a pair of levers adapted to be actuated by said members uponactuation thereof,

(c) means for releasably holding a part of said Web in fixed positionrelative to one of said cylinders in the course of said rotation of bothof said cylinders in said one direction whereby said part is revolved toa first location, the center of revolution being at approximately theaxis of rotation of said one of said cylinders,

(d) means for applying creasing pressure to said web at said firstlocation,

(e) means for releasably holding a second part of said web in fixedposition relative to the other of said cylinders in the course ofrotation of both of said cylinders in said opposite direction wherebysaid second part is revolved to a second location, the center ofrevolution being at approximately the axis of rotation of said other ofsaid cylinders,

(f) and means for creasing applying pressure to web at said secondlocation.

9. A machine for folding a web of flexible material into a zig-zag packof individual portions thereof coupled with each other at creased partsthereof, comprismg:

(a) a pair of rotatable cylinders spaced from each other for the passageof said web therebetween, (b) first means for rotating both of saidcylinders simultaneously in one direction and then rotating both of saidcylinders simultaneously in the opposite direction,

(c) second means for releasably holding a part of said Web in fixedposition relative to one of said cylinders in the course of simultaneousrotation of both of said cylinders in said one direction whereby saidpart is moved in an arcuate path to a first location,

(d) third means for applying creasing pressure to said web at about saidfirst location,

(e) fourth means for releasably holding a second part of said Web infixed position relative to the other of said cylinders in the course ofsimultaneous rotation of both of said cylinders in the oppositedirection whereby said second part is moved in an arcuate path to asecond location,

(f) fifth means for applying pressure to said Web at about said secondlocation to crease said web thereg) said third means comprising a memberlocated exteriorly of said one of said cylinder, being substantiallyparallel thereto and revolvable to operative and inoperative positionsin an arcuate path Whose center of revolution is approximately at theaxis of said one of said cylinders,

(h) said fifth means comprising a member located exteriorly of saidother of said cylinders, being substantially parallel thereto andrevolvable to operative and inoperative positions in an arcuate pathwhose center of revolution is approximately at the axis of said other ofsaid cylinders.

10. A method for Zig-Zttg folding a web of flexible material comprising:

(a) while both of a pair of cylinders, which are spaced from each other,are rotating clockwise, releasably holding a part of said web in fixedposition relative to one of said cylinders to revolve said part and tolocate it at a predetermined location, with the center of saidrevolution being at approximately the axis of rotation of said one ofsaid cylinders,

(b) applying pressure to said web at said predetermined location tocrease said web thereat,

(c) then rotating both of said cylinders counterclockwise,

(d) while both of said cylinders are rotating counterclockwise,releasably holding a second part of said web in fixed position relativeto the other of said cylinders to revolve said second portion and tolocate it at a predetermined second location, with the center of saidlast mentioned revolution being approximately at the axis of rotation ofsaid other cylinder,

(e) applying pressure to said part at said predetermined second locationto crease said web thereat.

11. A method for zigzag folding a web of flexible material extendingfrom a source of supply thereof comprising:

(a) moving a portion of said web in one direction to a position where itoverlies one of a pair of cylinders which are spaced from each other andthrough which space said web extends,

(b) releasably holding said portion in a fixed position relative to saidone of said cylinders,

(e) rotating said cylinders simultaneously clockwise while said portionis so held whereby said portion is moved in an arcuate path to a firstlocation,

(d) applying pressure to said web at about said location to crease saidweb thereat,

(e) moving another portion of said Web in an opposite direction to aposition where it overlies the other of said pair of cylinders,

(f) releasably holding said other portion in a fixed position relativeto the other of said cylinders,

(g) rotating both of said cylinders counter-clockwise while said otherportion is so held whereby said other portion is moved in an arcuatepath to a second location,

(h) applying pressure to said web at about said second location tocrease said web thereat.

12. A method for zig-zag folding a web of flexible material extendingfrom a source of supply thereof comprising:

(a) moving a portion of said Web in one direction to a position where itoverlies one of a pair of cylinders which are spaced from each other andthrough which space said web extends,

(b) releasably holding said portion in a fixed position relative to oneof said cylinders,

(c) rotating said cylinders simultaneously in one direction while saidportion is so held whereby said portion is moved in an arcuate path to afirst location,

(d) applying pressure to said portion at about said location to creasesaid web thereat,

(e) moving another portion of said web in the opposite direction to aposition where it overlies the other of said pair of cylinders,

(f) releasably holding said other portion in a fixed position relativeto the other of said cylinders,

(g) releasing said first mentioned portion from being maintained at saidfixed position relative to said one of said cylinders,

(h) rotating both of said cylinders simultaneously in the oppositedirection while said other portion is so held whereby said other portionis moved in an arcuate path to a second location,

(i) applying pressure to said other portion at about said secondlocation to crease said web thereat.

13. A method for zig-zag folding a web of flexible material extendingfrom a source of supply thereof comprising:

(a) moving a portion of said web in position where it overlies one of apair of cylinders which are spaced from each other and through whichspace said web extends,

(b) releasably holding said portion in a fixed postion relative to oneof said cylinders,

(c) rotating said cylinders simultaneously in one direction while saidportion is so held whereby said portion is moved in an arcuate path to afirst location,

(d) applying pressure to web at about said location to crease said webthereat,

(e) moving another portion of said web in a position where it overliesthe other of said pair of cylinders,

(f) releasably holding said other portion in a fixed position relativeto the other of said cylinders,

(g) releasing said first mentioned portion from being maintained at saidfixed position relative to said one of said cylinders,

(h) rotating both of said cylinders in the opposite direction while saidother portion is so held whereby sad other portion is moved in anarcuate path to a second location,

(i) applying pressure to said web at about said second location tocrease the web thereat,

(j) moving a third portion of said web into a position where it overliessaid one of said pair of cylinders,

(k) releasably hold'ng said third portion in a fixed position relativeto said one of said pair of cylinders,

(l) releasing said other portion of said web from being maintained insaid fixed position relative to said other cylinder,

(m) rotating said cylinders simultaneously in said first mentioneddirection while said third portion is so held whereby said third portionis moved in said first mentioned path to said first mentioned location,

(n) and applying pressure to said web at about said first mentionedlocation to crease said web thereat.

14. A method for zig-Zag folding a web of flexible material extendingfrom a source of supply thereof comprising:

(a) moving a portion of said web in position where it overlies one of apair of cylinders which are spaced from each other and through whichspace said web extends,

(b) releasably holding by vacuum said portion in a fixed positionrelative to one of said cylinders,

(c) rotating said cylinders simultaneously in one direction while saidportion is so held whereby said portion is moved in an arcuate path to afirst location,

(d) applying pressure to said portion at about said location to creaseweb thereat and maintain it at said location,

(e) moving another portion of said Web in a position where it overliesthe other of said pair of cylinders,

(f) releasably holding by vacuum said other portion in a fixed positionrelative to the other of said cylinders, while said first mentionedportion is being maintained at said location by said pressure and duringwhich said first mentioned vacuum holding has been released,

(g) rotating both of said cylinders in the opposite di rection whilesaid other portion is moved in an arcuate path to a second location,

(h) applying pressure to Web at about said second location to creasesaid web thereat.

15. A machine as defined in claim 1, said first mentz'oned meansincluding a pair of vertically extending and vertically actuatable rods,and a pair of levers adapted to be rotated thereby, the eifective upperends of said rods being connected to said levers and adjustable withrespect thereto for varying the extent of rotation of said cylinders.

16. A machine as defined in claim 1, said fourth mentioned meanscomprising a pair of pivoted arms and a roller carried by said arms andlocated exteriorly of said one of said cylinders, the axis of pivotingof said arms being at approximately the axis of rotation of said one ofsaid cylinders.

17. A machine as defined in claim 1, said first mentioned meansincluding a pair of vertically extending and vertically actuatable rodsand a pair of levers adapted to be rotated thereby, the efiective upperends of said rods being connected to said levers and adjustable Withrespect thereto for varying the extent of rotation of said cylinders andsaid third mentioned means comprising a pair of pivoted arms and aroller carried by said arms and located exteriorly of said one of saidcylinders, the axis of pivoting of said arms being at approximately theaxis of rotation of said one of said cylinders.

18. A machine for Zig-zag folding a Web of material comprising:

(a) a pair of cylinders spaced from each other for the passage of saidweb therebetween, said cylinders having openings therein,

(b) reciprocable means for alternately rotating both of said cylinderssimultaneously clockwise and simultaneously counter-clockwise andincluding reciprocable levers whose effective lengths are adjustable tovary the extent of rotatability of said cylinders,

(c) means for applying suction alternately to sucessive parts of saidWeb through said openings to re leasably maintain said web in positionalternately with respect to said cylinders in the course of saidalternate rotation; said means including two pairs of sets of ports, oneset behind the other,

(d) reciprocable means for alternating applying creasing pressureagainst successive parts of said web and including two rollers carriedby two pairs of arms and located outside of said cylinders.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,079,847 3/1963 Polidori 270-69X FOREIGN PATENTS 847,915 10/1939 France.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primaiy Examiner. PAUL V. WILLIAMS, AssistantExaminer.

